Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 2:01 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 2:01 p.m.

For 50 years, children seeking medical care went to the Babies Hospital, a Wrightsville Avenue building completed in 1928 after its wooden predecessor burned.

Facts

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What: Wilmington Planning Commission meetingWhen: 6 p.m. Dec. 5Where: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 102 N. Third St.Timeline: Read about the history of Babies Hospital at the end of the story.

Even after the hospital closed in 1978, the three-story building near the Intracoastal Waterway survived and was converted to office space.

Though by the early 2000s, developers were fighting historic preservationists in a bid to demolish the aging structure to build stores, offices and condos. Eventually, the developers prevailed, and the hospital came tumbling down.

About nine years after crews first started tearing down the hospital, the long-term plans for the land just west of the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge are still evolving.

The developers, Bailey & Associates of Jacksonville, envision three buildings on a 4.5-acre site on the 7200 block of Wrightsville Avenue. Bailey & Associates already have permission to construct three, four-story buildings with a maximum height of 45 feet. The approved plans call for 102 residential units, 15,750 square feet of commercial space and 13,200 square feet of office space.

Taller building

The developers are now asking the city for permission to build a taller building than they have approval for. On Dec. 5, the proposal will appear before the Wilmington Planning Commission. Bailey & Associates want permission to build one of three planned buildings at 50 feet tall. That building would be at the corner of Wrightsville Avenue and Canal Drive.

In its application, the developers said the additional height “will enhance the project by greatly improving the interior space while avoiding low ceiling heights in the building.”

The modification would eliminate the approved 13,200 square feet of office space and allow them to increase the 102 residential units to 110 units.

Though the planning commission will vote on whether to recommend issuing a permit, the city council will ultimately decide.

The land is zoned as an office and institutional district. By right, the developers can build up to 45 feet in that district, though, through the special-use permit process, a developer could request to build as high as 75 feet.

In the past, Bailey & Associates did not convince council members to allow them to build higher. In January, a request to allow a 60-foot structure on the property failed by a 3-4 vote.

Because of the denial, the developers can only build up to a maximum of 45 feet.

Babies Hospital

For half a century, the Babies Hospital operated in a three-story building in the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture.

Dr. J. Buren Sidbury, a native of the Holly Ridge area, founded the hospital. For years, it was the only pediatric specialty clinic in the state. From 1922, Sidbury arranged to have housing nearby so mothers could stay with their children during the recovery process – a novel notion for the time.

At one point, the hospital was drawing patients from a 140-mile radius, including charity cases from as far away as South Carolina and Virginia. Doctors from Yale and Johns Hopkins University traveled to Babies Hospital for their pediatric residencies. It also drew nurses from across the state for its three-month pediatric training program.

When the hospital closed in 1978, trustees cited a sharp decline in its patient population and changes in medical practice, including a shift to larger, more centralized hospital complexes.

<p>For 50 years, children seeking medical care went to the Babies Hospital, a Wrightsville Avenue building completed in 1928 after its wooden predecessor burned.</p><p>Even after the hospital closed in 1978, the three-story building near the Intracoastal Waterway survived and was converted to office space. </p><p>Though by the early 2000s, developers were fighting historic preservationists in a bid to demolish the aging structure to build stores, offices and condos. Eventually, the developers prevailed, and the hospital came tumbling down.</p><p>About nine years after crews first started tearing down the hospital, the long-term plans for the land just west of the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge are still evolving.</p><p>The developers, Bailey & Associates of Jacksonville, envision three buildings on a 4.5-acre site on the 7200 block of Wrightsville Avenue. Bailey & Associates already have permission to construct three, four-story buildings with a maximum height of 45 feet. The approved plans call for 102 residential units, 15,750 square feet of commercial space and 13,200 square feet of office space.</p><h3>Taller building</h3>
<p>The developers are now asking the city for permission to build a taller building than they have approval for. On Dec. 5, the proposal will appear before the Wilmington Planning Commission. Bailey & Associates want permission to build one of three planned buildings at 50 feet tall. That building would be at the corner of Wrightsville Avenue and Canal Drive. </p><p>In its application, the developers said the additional height “will enhance the project by greatly improving the interior space while avoiding low ceiling heights in the building.”</p><p>The modification would eliminate the approved 13,200 square feet of office space and allow them to increase the 102 residential units to 110 units. </p><p>Though the planning commission will vote on whether to recommend issuing a permit, the city council will ultimately decide. </p><p>The land is zoned as an office and institutional district. By right, the developers can build up to 45 feet in that district, though, through the special-use permit process, a developer could request to build as high as 75 feet.</p><p>In the past, Bailey & Associates did not convince council members to allow them to build higher. In January, a request to allow a 60-foot structure on the property failed by a 3-4 vote.</p><p>Because of the denial, the developers can only build up to a maximum of 45 feet.</p><h3>Babies Hospital</h3>
<p>For half a century, the Babies Hospital operated in a three-story building in the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture. </p><p>Dr. J. Buren Sidbury, a native of the Holly Ridge area, founded the hospital. For years, it was the only pediatric specialty clinic in the state. From 1922, Sidbury arranged to have housing nearby so mothers could stay with their children during the recovery process – a novel notion for the time.</p><p>At one point, the hospital was drawing patients from a 140-mile radius, including charity cases from as far away as South Carolina and Virginia. Doctors from Yale and Johns Hopkins University traveled to Babies Hospital for their pediatric residencies. It also drew nurses from across the state for its three-month pediatric training program.</p><p>When the hospital closed in 1978, trustees cited a sharp decline in its patient population and changes in medical practice, including a shift to larger, more centralized hospital complexes.</p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</p><h3>Beginning and end of the Babies Hospital building</h3>
<p>1920: Hospital founded by Dr. J. Buren Sidbury opens near present-day Intracoastal Waterway. </p><p>1927: The original wooden structure burned down.</p><p>1928: A more modern pediatric facility opened.</p><p>1978: The hospital closed. The building is converted to commercial office space.</p><p>1997: Developer Chris Bailey acquires hospital property for $1.38 million. </p><p>2001: Bailey submits plans to tear down hospital and replace it with stores, offices and condos. </p><p>2002: Stay of demolition is issued. City council designated building a local historic landmark. </p><p>2003: After no buyer committed to saving the structure emerges, a judge allows demolition. </p><p>2004: Crews start demolishing the building.</p>